Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in photography but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cassandra Gallegos, Owner of Cass G. Photography, located in San Antonio, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run a lifestyle portrait photography business. Photography allows me to engage with as many people as possible while having the opportunity to take photos of major moments of their lives with the people they love. It's a chance to get to know people on a different level. My clients are anyone who wants to feel loved and supported. Clients want images that will showcase their love for what they do or who is in their life. They are clients who can come as they are allowed to express themselves fully and creatively in a space where they are accepted.
Tell us about yourself
Photography has always been something I was interested in, and from a young age, I had a camera in my hands. It wasn't until I had the opportunity to create content for our gym's social media a few years ago that I became interested in expanding my knowledge even further. Over time I learned how to work a camera manually and experimented with what I had. The more I shot, the more comfortable I became.
Photographing people outside a gym was very daunting, but it took me a long time to agree to take that step forward. With the help of my family and the tremendous support of friends and relationships I made via the gym, I decided to expand my niche, which has been the best move yet. What I find most enjoyable about any session is the conversation and between moments. It's the laughter or banter between the snaps. Sessions are a chance for me to connect with people by way of the photo, which can be a nerve-wracking experience. My favorite part is taking that moment and turning it into fun as my subjects forget all about the camera and focus more on each other.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment would be that I didn't run away from this. There are a lot of projects I started on my journey here that never made their way full circle. For whatever reason, everything else I thought I wanted in a career turned out to be something I just did but never really wanted to go all-in with. Fear and doubt always won when it came to other things. It wasn't until I had time at home during the start of the pandemic that I decided not to allow fear to get in the way this time and truly do something for myself. I chose to believe in myself and continue to do it amidst whatever challenges I faced with is, something I didn't have before until I decided to start Cass G. Photography. The ability to express myself creatively, capture photos for people, and have fun while doing it all has been life-changing and is a move I am extremely proud of.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the biggest challenges has been staying the course and not allowing anything around me to steer me away from my journey. As a creative, you're bombarded with all things photo and film on social media. Keeping a balance with using it to help promote business while not allowing imposter syndrome to sink in is quite the delicate dance. Not allowing the noise to distract from who you are or what you want to do is something I must work hard at doing.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't do anything half-assed. If you want to be legit, then be sure to research and obtain all the necessary certifications/licensing/filing for your business. Making sure you have adequate insurance and a system for filing/ managing finances and running your business helps things run smoothly and protects you in the event you get into legal trouble.
- Be wary of hustle culture. Yes, you will have to work hard and wear many hats for your business to run the way you envision it to, but don't allow yourself to believe that working 24/7 is the best and only way to achieve success. Create a balance between what you need to do to move things forward and what you need from a personal standpoint, like time with family/friends/partners, aka FUN. You don't have to work yourself to oblivion; there is room for everything you want to do. Stay in control of that.
- Lean into the discomfort. You're going to experience uncomfortable moments. Often it's a sign that change is about to happen, and that's not always bad. Trust yourself and what you have to offer, and never be afraid to not be good at something. The more you keep trying, the better you will be.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.cassg.photography/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassgphoto/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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